2022 Homecoming Week and the True Meaning of Being a Cavalier

 

Homecoming Week at CCES is a time that displays the true meaning of being a Cavalier. While we thrive academically, to be Cavalier is to find excellence in all areas of life, including athletics, arts, service, and, most importantly, character. It is through our wonderful Homecoming Week that the best in all members of the Cavalier community is brought forth into the spotlight. 

 

With many high school students never experiencing quite a “normal” homecoming week, it was important to the CCES Student Council to do their best to provide not just a regular homecoming week but an amazing one. And boy, did they live up to their goals. The week began on Sunday night with the beloved tradition of a movie night. However, this year Movie Night came with a twist. For the first time in school history, Movie Night was held in the Hartness Performing Arts Center. This new change provided a “flat screen” projector, a surround sound system, and incredibly comfy seats. Students gathered in the PAC with blankets and pillows to watch a classic, The Sponge Bob Movie. Okay, maybe not a classic, but a comedic, family-friendly movie that kept the audience on their toes and laughing. 

 

The next morning we kicked off the school week with ‘Merica Monday and Anything But A Backpack Day. As students walked in, they were greeted with the smell of bagels and the sight of their student body president dressed as George Washington. Both were rather enjoyable for all. That night, the students made their way to Neon Night which consisted of good music and LOTS of colors. DJ [Reed] Halverson spit bars and got the students dancing all night long. 

 

Tuesday came with a bang as the students came to school dressed up like characters. As we walked around, different celebrities like Edna Mode, Spider-Man, Guy Fury, and even the aliens from Toy Story made appearances, bringing everyone excitement. That night, the Girls Volleyball team and the Cross Country teams dominated their opponents before making their way to one of the most anticipated nights of the week, Dodgeball. This fierce athletic event saw all different types of competition, ranging from athletic superstars like “Benji’s Team” to the quick and catlike “Team CONE.” The event was complete with the intense officiating of Mr. Whited and Dr. Vick as well as commentary from members of the Student Council.

 

Now, as I said earlier, Homecoming Week brings out all the different aspects of what it means to be a Cavalier. One of these aspects that is incredibly important to who we are as a community is to serve others. This year the Student Council chose to give our profits from Homecoming Week to Conestee Nature Reserve. Conestee has served as a place for our school to take field trips, to learn how to help our environment, and to even use as an athletic training facility. Conestee has done so much for our school, and this was the perfect opportunity to thank them for all they have done for us. 

 

Additionally, in the spirit of serving others, Wednesday morning, all high school students went out to different areas in Greenville to serve at volunteer organizations. The students got their hands dirty by working with overgrown regions of parks, organizing book collections for after-school programs, and even cooking at the Project Host soup kitchen. A big thanks to Mrs. Jarrett and Mrs. Mills, who organized the wonderful day and helped us bring out the service side of our Cavaliers. 

 

Wednesday night, the students and faculty excitedly made their way to Carson Stadium for the biggest football game of the year - girls flag football. With the seniors facing the freshman first and the juniors battling the sophomores, the seniors and sophomores took home the win for the first part of the bracket. Following these intense games, the seniors and sophomores competed in the championship game, striving to win bragging rights for their grade levels. The sophomores put up a good fight against the seniors, but ultimately the class of 2023 came out on top with a hungry offense and a honeybadger-like defense. 

 

After a big day, Thursday brought a much-needed day of rest. Students dressed as Greek gods and Greek life during the school day. Later, the Girls Tennis team destroyed the Asheville Trailblazers in a fierce match. The Girls Volleyball team also gave it their all in a tight game against the state champions St. Joe's Volleyball team.

 

Finally, the day everyone had been waiting for came. A sea of gray homecoming t-shirts flooded the gymnasium as all members of the Christ Church community came in for the pep rally. The cheerleaders did amazing dances and cheers, and students of all three divisions put on an equally impressive performance of pie-ing each Head of Division faculty in the face. Once the pep rally ended, members of the high school went to the PAC to watch the amazing Maxim Lando tickle the ivories and entertain the crowd with his hilarious stories. 

 

After Maxim’s great performance, members of the homecoming court were presented onto the stage of the PAC, giving the students a chance to vote for who their Cavalier Homecoming Queen would be. Ending the great day, the students rushed to the cafeteria to enjoy Chick-fil-A catering and the Club Fair, and began to prepare for the night’s big game.

 

That night, families, friends, and all members of the Cavalier community gathered at Carson Stadium to see our CCES Varsity Football team take on Calhoun Falls. The boys came out with a bang, taking a lead of seventy-three to nothing by halftime. With the crowd's spirits high, Christ Church kept the momentum going by introducing three alumni to the CCES Hall of Fame - swimmer Kendall Crawford, runner James Quattlebaum, and Coach RJ Beach. Following this, the Homecoming Court made their way to the field where senior Yasmine Clark was announced as the Homecoming Queen for the 2022-23 school year. 

 

Homecoming week is something that brings out the best in all of us. We are unafraid to be ourselves, have fun, and celebrate everything that goes in to being a CCES Cavalier.